Lift with the legs while keeping your back straight. Keep all fingers out of your cutting line. Having controlled and intentional places for your employees to dispose of and change their blades is another way to ensure their safety. If your employee can’t get a good hold, their hand could slip forward over the blade when they are cutting. Use knives and cutters for their intended purpose. 2 Never touch knife blades. • Do not use the knife while distracted. So, it is essential that your employees understand how to use knives correctly, and that they follow safety rules in every situation, so they don’t get hurt. Self retracting safety knives do this automatically, thereby protecting you and others without extra effort. WMHS. Guidelines for Exacto Knife Use Potential Hazards of Exacto Knife Use The most obvious hazard that exists with exacto knives is the potential for cuts and punctures. Handle Design – How often will your employees be using their knives? Never touch a knife’s blade. Utility knives work best when they're sharp. Knife safety is really important. Only use knives for their intended purpose. Every tool is unique and built for specific tasks. Only use the tool only for the job it was designed for. If a knife is falling, even a safety knife, you risk injury by trying to stop it with your hand or foot. Always keep the knife clean, dry and sanitised (if required). Someone will stick their hand in the water and cut themselves. Put knives in the sink. It may include sign off sheets, checklists, or other information designed to ensure that every reasonable precaution for the protection of the workers is in place. No falling onto sharp knife blades. Train all workers in the safe use of knives, cover topics such as: do not leave knives in washing up water (wash them up and return them to storage area straight after use) store knives safely in a rack or knife block with blades pointing towards the back. From mobile robots to robotic piece-picking systems, these increasingly capable robotic solutions have become regular fixtures at warehousing and automation events, and in trade and […], RDG Media, Inc. Utility knives are used in a variety of applications such as shipping, receiving, grocery store stocking, restaurant work, meat packing, construction, manufacturing, and more. Any liquids or byproducts on the floor create a slip risk – something you don’t want … A knife that can’t be seen is a dangerous knife. These dangers can be minimized by following proper safety rules, recognizing the hazards, and using the proper personal protective equipment. Set down the knife and let the other person pick it up. Creating and implementing a comprehensive knife safety program is essential in making sure that your employees follow all of the proper safety procedures every time they use a knife. A dull knife is more likely to slip and cut someone than a sharp one. Make sure no body parts are in the cutting path. Let the knife fall to the ground rather than trying to grab it as it falls. Make sure to replace your knife blades when necessary and have extra knives on hand to replace broken or damaged ones. Is an ergonomic design important to alleviate injuries that repetitive movements could cause? Safe job procedures are designed to reduce the risk by minimizing potential exposure. If a knife is falling, even a safety knife, you risk injury by trying to stop it with your hand or foot. Proper knife training can help minimize the risk of personal injury and keep your kitchen running smoothly. Curl your fingers under and hold the food with your fingertips when chopping . Each safety knife will have their specific safety instructions, but the following are general safety tips that your employees should adhere to when working with any knives. Keep knives sharp. Dispose of old or broken knives correctly. Over the years, I have seen people do stupid things with their knives and end up hurt. A utility knife, sometimes called a box knife or carpet knife, is a small, lightweight knife that is used for cutting through cardboard, opening boxes, cutting ropes, and in craft work.There are different sizes and varieties of utility blades, all of which have sharp blades that can be retracted into the plastic or metal body when the knife is not in use. With box cutters and utility knives being so common and easy to use, some people make the mistake of thinking that they are completely safe to use. Use all personal protective equipment required (including gloves). Performance criteria. A knife is your friend, but like many things, if you use it incorrectly it can hurt you. Everyone in the family should be familiar with a few basic safety procedures. Dispose of dull or rusty blades in a blade disposal container. Plus, having the appropriate tools also makes it easier for your employees to do their work and can increase their productivity. Get in the routine of inspecting your knives to look for potential safety hazards like dull knives or broken pieces. • Secure your cutting board with a damp paper towel or non-slip mat. Accidents can occur when your employees are distracted. Your industry may determine what type you need. Knives with damaged safety mechanisms should be discarded. PO Box 893 Utility knives, box cutters or any safety knives or cutters should be discarded or repaired if not working properly. Also, be certain that other people are at a safe distance before cutting. 5 When interrupted, stop cutting and place knife down on a flat and secured surface. In fact, all places where boxes, cartons, bags, shrink wrap and other materials must be cut or opened, you will find utility knives and cutters. Utility knives and box cutters are common in today’s workplace. If you are just beginning to learn or simply need to brush up on your approach, keep reading for some helpful knife safety tips. Even using a so-called “safety knife” has some risk if the safety knife is used incorrectly. 1.2 Use safe procedures when leaving the knife on the bench. make sure the blade is safely stored away. Each person using a knife should have enough working space to move freely and allow them to operate in a safe manner without endangering themselves or others. It’s also imperative to instill correct safety practices right from the beginning (so bad habits do not become standard routines). The ultimate aim of the procedure is to be pro-active in eliminating or reducing the risk of knife-related accidents. Point the blade away from yourself when cutting. Always keep it where it can be seen. They are easier to operate and safer to use when sharp. Don’t put a knife in a sink full of soapy water. However, those tips alone are not enough. Keep knives sharp. Knives with retractable blades should have the blade retracted immediately after use. • After using a knife, clean it immediately and put it away • Carry only one knife at a time, tip pointed down at your side • Store knives securely in a knife block or in an appropriate rack with the sharp edges pointed away from you • When you stop cutting, place knife in a flat safe … Should it be firm or flexible? Companies need them to get boxes opened, materials cut and to perform general maintenance tasks. They should not attempt to multitask, skip safety steps to try to save time or act carelessly. • Always use a cutting board. For example, if you are in the food and beverage industry, your knives must be made of a material that will not rust and is detectable with a metal detector. Make sure the blade is sharp. In this way the handler has control of the edge of the knife and the person receiving the knife is reaching for the handle rather than a sharp blade. Carry a knife with the blade pointing downwards. Never discard loose blades in the garbage or leave them where they can injure an unsuspecting person. When mincing, keep the tip of your knife on the cutting board and pump the handle up and down quickly. Handling Knives Pass an Open Knife Safely The person holding the knife should hold the knife by the blade, cutting edge away from the hand, and pass the handle to the other person. The following tips will not only help prevent any potential injuries but will assist you to be a better cook as well. Never toss or hand a knife to another person. Always set the knife down and let the other person pick it up to avoid injury. Strategies when not handling a knife. Do not toss a knife to someone. Knives are necessary tools in many workplaces, and they are used daily in virtually every industry. Development. When moving boxes of cut meats and carcasses, use proper handling techniques to prevent strains and sprains. 1. The WHA offers the following suggestions to help ensure safe cutting practices: • Keep knives sharp. When not in use, see that you store your knife or cutter in a safe location. The safety features of knives and cutters should not be circumvented or removed. Plus, your leadership team needs to set a good example by following the rules too. You can then visually see when a knife has not been replaced to the correct storage location. Employees should never have to use a damaged knife to finish a job, because a replacement isn’t available. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that more than $300 million is spent for hand lacerations each year. • Teach proper knife handling. Use safe knife handling procedures on a commercial fishing vessel. Personal Protective Equipment 3 Use a knife only for its intended purpose; use the appropriate knife for the cutting job. Handle Size – Is the size of the knife’s handle large enough for a secure grip? Educate and train all staff in the safe use of any tool they may use. Handling a knife: • Keep fingertips curled under the hand that is holding the food. Knife Edge – Do you need a fine edged blade for a smooth, clean cut? Keeping your knives sharpened is one of the easiest ways to keep them safe. Knife safety is like firearms safety, you have to follow the rules at all times. Use carts and other lifting devices for heavy items. Your knife safety program needs to be considered part of your company’s culture, if you want it to be successful. It is also recommended that you do not hand a knife directly to someone. Inspect the tool before use. For example, if one of your employee’s knives falls while they are using it, they need to let it fall to the ground without attempting to stop it. Make sure to use the right knife for the job ( List of knives used in the hotel kitchen). Occupational hand injuries in the workplace are all too common. The procedure starts by recording the area of operation and the risk identified. Material – What material is the knife made from? Therefore, keeping safety knives sharp and well-maintained is essential. Do not toss a knife to someone. • Point the blade away from your body when cutting, washing, or drying a knife. Strengthening Your Arc Flash Safety Program Through Daily Wear FR PPE, A+A 2019 PREVIEW: International Trade Fair with Congress for Safety, Security and Health at Work, By: Jason Wright, Contributor Every day, workers across numerous industries use gas detectors for a variety of applications. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the right safety knives: Knife Blade – What kind of blade is appropriate for the job? Discard all used blades in safe blade storage containers and establish designated blade changing stations throughout your workspace. Arming your team with the following universal knife safety tips will help educate them on knife safety, increase their confidence while working and decrease the chances that they will accidentally get injured. Therefore, there are right knives for a job, and there are also wrongs ones. Once you have purchased your safety knives, the next step is to train your team on how to use them correctly. 1.3 Carry out cutting work safely using the correct knife and without the use of excessive force or damage to the blade. When you have the right tools for the job, you are doing your part to ensure your team’s safety. By breaking down each product category, you’ll have the ability to […], Tom O’Donnell, Contributor Warehouse robotics are past the awareness stage. If you have questions about which kind of knife is best, enlisting the help of trained knife specialists will help answer them, and confirm that you are purchasing the correct tools for your company. Make sure to keep the handle of the knife is dry and clean at all time. Re: hand knife safety policy/procedure Post by Pierre7 » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:02 pm Like Dave we dont have a policy but we do have a Safe System of Work when using knives.Our people are trained to use the Knives safely and are then required to sign the SSW. With a knife, the dangerous parts are … In most cases, a Safe Work Procedure (SWP) will provide a systematic process to follow to ensure that all safety considerations and precautions are in place prior to starting the job. Butchers prepare a variety of meat products, but safety needs to be the number one ingredient behind the meat counter. Regular utility knives, scissors and retractable safety knives each have their intended purposes. Therefore it is very important to follow safe knife handling procedures at all times. Does it need to be retractable? Each safety knife will have their specific safety instructions, but the following are general safety tips that your employees should adhere to when working with any knives. Do. Safe work practices should be developed as a result of completing a job safety analysis (JSA) or a hazard risk assessment (HRA) and should closely reflect the activities most common in … Use a knife as a can opener. For example, a knife should not be used as a pry bar, can opener, chisel, punch, awl, scraper, or screwdriver. It is estimated that more than $3,000 worth of health care, worker's compensation and loss in productivity can be attributed to just one cut or laceration to the hand. 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When carrying the knife make sure to hold it parallel to and right against your leg as you walk. Using a knife When using a knife remember to focus on your: Stance or posture; Grip on the handle; Guiding or free hand; Do not: Leave sharp knives loose in a drawer. A knife safety program will not only teach and train all your employees on how to use their tools properly, but it will also provide them with continuous training, so they will always be up-to-date. Wash the knife off immediately. So you should use-Boning Knife to remove bone from meat; Paring knife for slicing small things; Carving knife for large cutting jobs; Vegetable pillar to cut vegetable; Cheese knife to cut through cheese; 5. Keep the cutting area clean. Set down the knife and let the other person pick it up. Use a knife suitable for the task and for the food you are cutting. Trying to intercept a falling knife increases the likelihood that an injury will occur. 4 Place a damp cloth under a cutting board to prevent slipping of the board. Train employees in the safe use of knives and safe working practices when sharpening them. Therefore, it is crucial that they stay 100% focused while using knives. 1 Keep knives sharpened, and let other staff know when knives are newly-sharpened. Cut away from your body. In addition to keeping their attention on the act of cutting while using knives, your employees also need to focus on protecting their bodies as well as their coworkers too. One wrong move or one bad choice could turn disastrous in an instant. All of the universal safety tips listed above can help your team stay safe, no matter your industry. For example, if you use large knife to remove meat from bone then you may be injured. If your knife needs … Would serrated blades be more effective? When employees leave used knives on countertops and other random areas, the risk of others coming in contact with them increases. This can be done using the blank assessment form provided in the template below or on your own form. Simply use a sharpening stone or knife sharpener to maintain the original precision of the blade. Only use knives for their intended purpose. Never cover a knife. Provide knives with handles that are comfortable to use. Martor USA is an established leader in the safety knife industry. A really simple way to implement knife control in your production area is to make up a “knife control shadow board” with magnetic background. 1.1 Use safe knife handling procedures when carrying a knife. From the largest refineries, mines and mills to construction companies and emergency responders, gas detectors are a […], Andrew Ortman, Contributor This article takes a deep look into the safety products all welders should be wearing and the options that they have. Use a Sharp Knife When you use a dull knife to cut, you need to apply more force. Inspect the utility knife for damage and dull blade prior to use. Let the knife fall to the ground rather than trying to grab it as it falls. When your employees use a dull knife, they must exert additional force each time they cut – and that can cause them to lose control. Use a knife suitable for the task and for the food you are cutting. It is also recommended that you do not hand a knife directly to someone. However, because that knife is moving fast, be extra careful about your fingers. Here are 5 simple kitchen safety rules for knives. Butcher Safety. Using of proper knives is a safe practice. Using your knife in a way in which they were not designed or on the wrong materials can damage the blade and cause injury to yourself or others. 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